#maurizio-cattelan

#maurizio-cattelan

The fully functional toilet was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan also known for his duct-taped banana, which sold for $6.2 million at auction in 2024. Described as a commentary on excessive wealth, the artwork's name is also fitting for the current US president: "America." For gold, it seems, is in fashion at the White House. From the gold bric-a-brac adorning the Oval Office mantelpiece to the gold faucets and fixtures in the newly renovated Lincoln bathroom

Maurizio Cattelan's shimmering 223-pound (101.2 kg) solid gold toilet sold for $12.1 million with fees at Sotheby's contemporary auction in its new Breuer Building headquarters tonight, November 18. Sotheby's did not list an estimate for Cattelan's 18-karat metaphor, "America" (2016), but set bids to start at $10 million. Failing to receive more than one bid, the work sold after an awkward minute during which auctioneer Phyllis Kao attempted to draw out more offers using potty-related puns.

A toilet is making headlines. The reason? It's made of solid 18-carat gold and is being auctioned at Sotheby's on November 18, with a starting bid of around $10 million (8.6 miilion). The fully functional toilet was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan also known for his duct-taped banana, which sold for $6.2 million at auction in 2024. Described as a commentary on excessive wealth, the artwork's name is also fitting for the current US president: "America."

Maurizio Cattelan, contemporary art's notorious provocateur, is taking his wit from the gallery into the streets with Where is Maurizio?, a worldwide treasure hunt. To mark the release of We Are the Revolution, his latest limited-edition self-portrait sculpture, three works have been hidden across the globe, waiting to be found by the quickest and most dedicated seekers. The hunt begins in New York City on September 30th, 2025, when the first clue will be revealed on Avant Arte's dedicated website.

After a visitor consumed a banana worth millions of dollars at a French museum, artist Maurizio Cattelan expressed disappointment that they did not eat the skin and tape.

"This bold and brazen heist took no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete. America has never been seen again."